15% Forest sell off – Secretary of State Clarifies

“Following the recent media coverage about the 15% asset sales programme the Secretary of State has now clarified:

‘All new sales of public forestry land were suspended from the 17th February. We will decide on the level of any future sales and the conditions to be attached to them only once we have received and considered the advice from the independent panel.’

As a result, the previously quoted figure of 15% asset sales no longer stands. Ministers will suspend all decisions on future land sales until the Independent Panel reports in the Autumn. This does not affect the Forestry Commission England’s requirement to make 25% budget reductions, but it will be an additional consideration in the preparation of the Spending Review Implementation Plan.

An exciting initiative born out of the Government's response to the Save Our Forests campaign, bringing together foresters, wood based industries, environmental charities, woodland owners and all those who love our forests to help create a thriving and sustainable WOOD CULTURE in Britain.